HMH User Testing Process Overhaul

HMH User Testing Process Overhaul

HMH User Testing Process Overhaul

HMH User Testing Process Overhaul

HMH User Testing Process Overhaul

Project Overview

Throughout 2017, I spearheaded an effort to overhaul our design studio's user testing process. This case study describes the project and all of its components—reworking the process, creating a documentation suite, and forming a new testing partnership.

Project Overview

Throughout 2017, I spearheaded an effort to overhaul our design studio's user testing process. This case study describes the project and all of its components—reworking the process, creating a documentation suite, and forming a new testing partnership.

My RoleDesigner, Testing Moderator, Testing Lead

ClientThis is an internal project, ultimately benefitting millions of students and teachers.

My RoleDesigner, Testing Moderator, Testing Lead

ClientThis is an internal project, ultimately benefitting millions of students and teachers.

About the Challenge

A user testing overhaul for an organization as large as Houghton Mifflin Harcourt requires tackling some unique challenges. At any given time, our design studio is working on nearly a dozen large projects. Redesigning how we test meant being considerate of each team's distinct schedules and the unique needs of their projects. Additionally, rolling out a new process for our global team requires a high level of organization and clear communication. This initiative focused on our in-person testing since remote testing isn't always a viable option for the types of content we design.

About the Challenge

A user testing overhaul for an organization as large as Houghton Mifflin Harcourt requires tackling some unique challenges. At any given time, our design studio is working on nearly a dozen large projects. Redesigning how we test meant being considerate of each team's distinct schedules and the unique needs of their projects. Additionally, rolling out a new process for our global team requires a high level of organization and clear communication. This initiative focused on our in-person testing since remote testing isn't always a viable option for the types of content we design.

About the Challenge

A user testing overhaul for an organization as large as Houghton Mifflin Harcourt requires tackling some unique challenges. At any given time, our design studio is working on nearly a dozen large projects. Redesigning how we test meant being considerate of each team's distinct schedules and the unique needs of their projects. Additionally, rolling out a new process for our global team requires a high level of organization and clear communication. This initiative focused on our in-person testing since remote testing isn't always a viable option for the types of content we design.

About the Challenge

A user testing overhaul for an organization as large as Houghton Mifflin Harcourt requires tackling some unique challenges. At any given time, our design studio is working on nearly a dozen large projects. Redesigning how we test meant being considerate of each team's distinct schedules and the unique needs of their projects. Additionally, rolling out a new process for our global team requires a high level of organization and clear communication. This initiative focused on our in-person testing since remote testing isn't always a viable option for the types of content we design.

About the Challenge

A user testing overhaul for an organization as large as Houghton Mifflin Harcourt requires tackling some unique challenges. At any given time, our design studio is working on nearly a dozen large projects. Redesigning how we test meant being considerate of each team's distinct schedules and the unique needs of their projects. Additionally, rolling out a new process for our global team requires a high level of organization and clear communication. This initiative focused on our in-person testing since remote testing isn't always a viable option for the types of content we design.

Refining the Process

Because our projects serve very large groups of users (entire states and regions), each one operates on a unique schedule. In the past, that's led to inconsistent testing practices... but no longer! I designed our new User Testing Guide to provide specific guidelines and best practices for our design teams. Designers can now spend less time creating custom testing procedures and more time designing. With a unified process, we get out of our own way and focus on well-informed design. We've also brought all face-to-face testing to one central location in Orlando, FL, to help ensure scientific accuracy and a unified process.

Refining the Process

Because our projects serve very large groups of users (entire states and regions), each one operates on a unique schedule. In the past, that's led to inconsistent testing practices... but no longer! I designed our new User Testing Guide to provide specific guidelines and best practices for our design teams. Designers can now spend less time creating custom testing procedures and more time designing. With a unified process, we get out of our own way and focus on well-informed design. We've also brought all face-to-face testing to one central location in Orlando, FL, to help ensure scientific accuracy and a unified process.

Refining the Process

Because our projects serve very large groups of users (entire states and regions), each one operates on a unique schedule. In the past, that's led to inconsistent testing practices... but no longer! I designed our new User Testing Guide to provide specific guidelines and best practices for our design teams. Designers can now spend less time creating custom testing procedures and more time designing. With a unified process, we get out of our own way and focus on well-informed design. We've also brought all face-to-face testing to one central location in Orlando, FL, to help ensure scientific accuracy and a unified process.

Refining the Process

Because our projects serve very large groups of users (entire states and regions), each one operates on a unique schedule. In the past, that's led to inconsistent testing practices... but no longer! I designed our new User Testing Guide to provide specific guidelines and best practices for our design teams. Designers can now spend less time creating custom testing procedures and more time designing. With a unified process, we get out of our own way and focus on well-informed design. We've also brought all face-to-face testing to one central location in Orlando, FL, to help ensure scientific accuracy and a unified process.

Refining the Process

Because our projects serve very large groups of users (entire states and regions), each one operates on a unique schedule. In the past, that's led to inconsistent testing practices... but no longer! I designed our new User Testing Guide to provide specific guidelines and best practices for our design teams. Designers can now spend less time creating custom testing procedures and more time designing. With a unified process, we get out of our own way and focus on well-informed design. We've also brought all face-to-face testing to one central location in Orlando, FL, to help ensure scientific accuracy and a unified process.

Crafting the Documentation

It's not the most flashy part of any project, but a unified documentation suite is crucial for gaining the most from a new process. I designed a series of templated documents for our various teams to use in preparation for face-to-face testing. Once again—letting my fellow designers focus on their more pressing design work, rather than custom documentation. The centerpiece of this suite is the Protocol Template, which offers designers in our studio a top-notch, scientifically sound testing plan. Using the template, they fill in their project's details and can hit the ground running with a well-planned, world-class testing procedure. Other documents include everything from detailed notetaking logs to scientific emotion-ranking scales that measure a user's emotional state at the conclusion of a test session.

Crafting the Documentation

It's not the most flashy part of any project, but a unified documentation suite is crucial for gaining the most from a new process. I designed a series of templated documents for our various teams to use in preparation for face-to-face testing. Once again—letting my fellow designers focus on their more pressing design work, rather than custom documentation. The centerpiece of this suite is the Protocol Template, which offers designers in our studio a top-notch, scientifically sound testing plan. Using the template, they fill in their project's details and can hit the ground running with a well-planned, world-class testing procedure. Other documents include everything from detailed notetaking logs to scientific emotion-ranking scales that measure a user's emotional state at the conclusion of a test session.

Crafting the Documentation

It's not the most flashy part of any project, but a unified documentation suite is crucial for gaining the most from a new process. I designed a series of templated documents for our various teams to use in preparation for face-to-face testing. Once again—letting my fellow designers focus on their more pressing design work, rather than custom documentation. The centerpiece of this suite is the Protocol Template, which offers designers in our studio a top-notch, scientifically sound testing plan. Using the template, they fill in their project's details and can hit the ground running with a well-planned, world-class testing procedure. Other documents include everything from detailed notetaking logs to scientific emotion-ranking scales that measure a user's emotional state at the conclusion of a test session.

Crafting the Documentation

It's not the most flashy part of any project, but a unified documentation suite is crucial for gaining the most from a new process. I designed a series of templated documents for our various teams to use in preparation for face-to-face testing. Once again—letting my fellow designers focus on their more pressing design work, rather than custom documentation. The centerpiece of this suite is the Protocol Template, which offers designers in our studio a top-notch, scientifically sound testing plan. Using the template, they fill in their project's details and can hit the ground running with a well-planned, world-class testing procedure. Other documents include everything from detailed notetaking logs to scientific emotion-ranking scales that measure a user's emotional state at the conclusion of a test session.

Crafting the Documentation

It's not the most flashy part of any project, but a unified documentation suite is crucial for gaining the most from a new process. I designed a series of templated documents for our various teams to use in preparation for face-to-face testing. Once again—letting my fellow designers focus on their more pressing design work, rather than custom documentation. The centerpiece of this suite is the Protocol Template, which offers designers in our studio a top-notch, scientifically sound testing plan. Using the template, they fill in their project's details and can hit the ground running with a well-planned, world-class testing procedure. Other documents include everything from detailed notetaking logs to scientific emotion-ranking scales that measure a user's emotional state at the conclusion of a test session.

Building the Partnership

Overhauling this process has meant studying our strengths and conducting an honest evaluation of our testing weaknesses. In an effort to ease us into the new process, I've helped establish a partnership with Full Sail University in Orlando. Their unique suite of tech makes quick-turnaround testing more achievable for our organization. For design teams not based in Orlando, I organize and moderate on-site user testing here in The City Beautiful.

Building the Partnership

Overhauling this process has meant studying our strengths and conducting an honest evaluation of our testing weaknesses. In an effort to ease us into the new process, I've helped establish a partnership with Full Sail University in Orlando. Their unique suite of tech makes quick-turnaround testing more achievable for our organization. For design teams not based in Orlando, I organize and moderate on-site user testing here in The City Beautiful.

Building the Partnership

Overhauling this process has meant studying our strengths and conducting an honest evaluation of our testing weaknesses. In an effort to ease us into the new process, I've helped establish a partnership with Full Sail University in Orlando. Their unique suite of tech makes quick-turnaround testing more achievable for our organization. For design teams not based in Orlando, I organize and moderate on-site user testing here in The City Beautiful.

Building the Partnership

Overhauling this process has meant studying our strengths and conducting an honest evaluation of our testing weaknesses. In an effort to ease us into the new process, I've helped establish a partnership with Full Sail University in Orlando. Their unique suite of tech makes quick-turnaround testing more achievable for our organization. For design teams not based in Orlando, I organize and moderate on-site user testing here in The City Beautiful.

Building the Partnership

Overhauling this process has meant studying our strengths and conducting an honest evaluation of our testing weaknesses. In an effort to ease us into the new process, I've helped establish a partnership with Full Sail University in Orlando. Their unique suite of tech makes quick-turnaround testing more achievable for our organization. For design teams not based in Orlando, I organize and moderate on-site user testing here in The City Beautiful.

This has all been done with the goal of collecting the most accurate, actionable data possible—to better inform our design and engineering priorities.

This has all been done with the goal of collecting the most accurate, actionable data possible—to better inform our design and engineering priorities.

This has all been done with the goal of collecting the most accurate, actionable data possible—to better inform our design and engineering priorities.

This has all been done with the goal of collecting the most accurate, actionable data possible—to better inform our design and engineering priorities.

This has all been done with the goal of collecting the most accurate, actionable data possible—to better inform our design and engineering priorities.

Who I Worked With

When designing a new team process, it's always best to work alongside others on the team. Throughout the course of this process overhaul, I communicated regularly with a team of designers who have been with the company much longer than I have. They have a thorough understanding of our legacy products and the specific testing challenges we've faced in the past. I also worked very closely with the team at Full Sail University to establish the new partnership.

Who I Worked With

When designing a new team process, it's always best to work alongside others on the team. Throughout the course of this process overhaul, I communicated regularly with a team of designers who have been with the company much longer than I have. They have a thorough understanding of our legacy products and the specific testing challenges we've faced in the past. I also worked very closely with the team at Full Sail University to establish the new partnership.

Who I Worked With

When designing a new team process, it's always best to work alongside others on the team. Throughout the course of this process overhaul, I communicated regularly with a team of designers who have been with the company much longer than I have. They have a thorough understanding of our legacy products and the specific testing challenges we've faced in the past. I also worked very closely with the team at Full Sail University to establish the new partnership.

Who I Worked With

When designing a new team process, it's always best to work alongside others on the team. Throughout the course of this process overhaul, I communicated regularly with a team of designers who have been with the company much longer than I have. They have a thorough understanding of our legacy products and the specific testing challenges we've faced in the past. I also worked very closely with the team at Full Sail University to establish the new partnership.

Who I Worked With

When designing a new team process, it's always best to work alongside others on the team. Throughout the course of this process overhaul, I communicated regularly with a team of designers who have been with the company much longer than I have. They have a thorough understanding of our legacy products and the specific testing challenges we've faced in the past. I also worked very closely with the team at Full Sail University to establish the new partnership.

Implementing the Process

This has all been done with the goal of collecting the most accurate, actionable data possible—to better inform our design and engineering priorities. Rolling out the new process across our seven global locations is a top priority. With a variety of projects at different stages, not everyone has had the chance to benefit from the new testing process—yet. Two projects in need of testing have used it, and all future projects will benefit from it as their testing needs arise.

Implementing the Process

This has all been done with the goal of collecting the most accurate, actionable data possible—to better inform our design and engineering priorities. Rolling out the new process across our seven global locations is a top priority. With a variety of projects at different stages, not everyone has had the chance to benefit from the new testing process—yet. Two projects in need of testing have used it, and all future projects will benefit from it as their testing needs arise.

Implementing the Process

This has all been done with the goal of collecting the most accurate, actionable data possible—to better inform our design and engineering priorities. Rolling out the new process across our seven global locations is a top priority. With a variety of projects at different stages, not everyone has had the chance to benefit from the new testing process—yet. Two projects in need of testing have used it, and all future projects will benefit from it as their testing needs arise.

Implementing the Process

This has all been done with the goal of collecting the most accurate, actionable data possible—to better inform our design and engineering priorities. Rolling out the new process across our seven global locations is a top priority. With a variety of projects at different stages, not everyone has had the chance to benefit from the new testing process—yet. Two projects in need of testing have used it, and all future projects will benefit from it as their testing needs arise.

Implementing the Process

This has all been done with the goal of collecting the most accurate, actionable data possible—to better inform our design and engineering priorities. Rolling out the new process across our seven global locations is a top priority. With a variety of projects at different stages, not everyone has had the chance to benefit from the new testing process—yet. Two projects in need of testing have used it, and all future projects will benefit from it as their testing needs arise.